Natalie McNally death: YouTuber Stephen McCullagh convicted of murdering pregnant partner in savage attack

YouTuber Stephen McCullagh was found guilty of murdering his pregnant partner Natalie McNally.

The 36-year-old man was sentenced on Monday following a trial at Belfast Crown Court.

Ms McNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant with the couple’s son when she was beaten and stabbed at her Lurgan home on December 18, 2022.

During the trial, the jury heard McCullagh posted a YouTube video of himself playing a game of Grand Theft Auto on the night his partner was killed.

The court heard the man gave the impression it was a live broadcast.

But the prosecution said McCullagh had prepared the six-hour broadcast of the game four days in advance.

“His claim that he would be broadcasting live between 6pm and midnight was completely fabricated,” said lawyer Charles MacCreanor KC.

“He lied repeatedly and to different people that he was doing a live show.”

McCullagh, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denied the charge.

The jury, consisting of six men and six women, reached its verdict on Monday after two hours of deliberations.

McCullagh stood expressionless in the dock among prison staff as the verdict was read.

McNally’s family and friends filled the public gallery behind the pier and cheered after the verdict was announced.

Jurors had previously heard that McCullagh disguised himself, took a bus to Lurgan and walked to McNally’s home, where he killed her.

He then got into a taxi and called 999 before returning to McNally’s home on the night of December 19.

The hearing heard he was subjected to a sustained attack, including stab wounds to the neck, strangulation and severe blows to the head.

McCullagh attended his funeral at his family home on Christmas Day, the week after his death.

“The family are literally taking him in, consoling him, supporting him, helping him,” Mr. MacCreanor said.

The jury continued McCullagh’s lie that he was live streaming when his partner was murdered.

He later admitted during police interrogation that the broadcast was pre-recorded.